The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-31
BOOTHS AND BARRETI's PLANS.
Fow They Came to Join Their Forces
and Make Money.


Fewmen are more often spoken of in tho
atrical circles than Keene, the :ragedian,
whose career was brought to an abrupt stop
about two years ago, by the entire loss of
his voice. 1t was an awful blow, coming at
the very height of fame and fortune. Most
men would have been floored by it. Keene
wasn't He is made of different stuff At
ter a short period of amazement and stupe
faction, during which he contemplated the
baiIled and eerie effect of playing tragedy
without speaking, Kcene went after his
voice. The vocal chords were coaxed and
tutored and the general health of the actor
carefully looked after. This season he
started out on preliminary tour under the
guidance of Mr.. Ariel n. Barney, the clev
crest of the younger managers Of the pro-
fession. and the results are extraordinary.
All tue tragedian's powers have returned,
and his extensive study during the two
wears of forced vacation has resulted in re-
filming his methods ard giving polish to his
work which it had formerly lacked. The
courage of the man in the face of the most
dismal predictions on the part of the doc
tors and the gloomy forebodings of his
friends was splendid Keene is as p0pu-
lar as Booth or Barrett throughout the
country, where his name is household
word, but in New York the public has not
vet had chance to become thoroughly ac-
quainted with him. 1t is on the cards, be-
lieve, to play Keene in New York for
term this season, surrounded by the best
actors in town 1t would create a good
deal of talk, for the supporters of keene
speak with unmitigated contempt of
rett, when that gentleman is compared with
the pluclly actor who has just begun stage
life anew.
Speaking of Booth and Barrett reminds
me that l recently beard the true version Of
the manner in which the former went under
the latter's management last season. Booth
is VIGOROUSLY at sea i'll financial matters.
He knows absolutely nothing about money.
Not long ago he said that he sat down and
figured out his check book and found that
he had Sl3, 900 on deposit in the bank. Then
he went over the book again and made out
TINT he owed the bank $4,000. After this
he made a third trial, was wound up in an
awful snarl, gave it allup and went to bed.
He went to visit Barrett at the latter's place
in CohaSset and in the course OF walk on
the beach, Booth said he envied Bar rett his
skill in financial matters.
''Iowe half my success to 1t" said Barrett
quickly. -
Il :, eaid Booth. II would give good deal
for some of your knowledge Of business
whatever knowledge have is always
ut your service" said the other. II have
never agreed with the policy of your mana
gers" ...,- .Lo,, aud
An agreement was rs S npne UP passed S G be
tween the two men. The receipts for tine
t Gr nine weeks amounted to 300, lOO,, and
,uhon tbe season was over, it was found that
the ,V earnings we're $780, 900. OF this Bar
' u,Iv share was about $4,000. It was by
ie,,e, ODDS the most successful season that
Root ever played This trio of tragedians,
Roe~a Barrett and Booth, now have the
Gid IN themselves. All the lesser lights
have been put out. Henry Irving WI be
over in the fall, however, ana theh 'nere
will be some lively competition. nv